IT'S quarter-final time at Euro 2024 and managers will be looking for their star strikers to step up and seize the day.
The likes of Harry Kane and Copy Gakpo stepped up to fire England and the Netherlands through but Cristiano Ronaldo's missed penalty almost cost Portugal dearly against Slovenia.
He made amends by scoring in the shoot-out and will now be looking to KO a French side who are still waiting for Kylian Mbappe to hit top form. Here's a look at the best Euro 2024 strikers and some betting trends.
Best Euro 2024 strikers
Kylian Mbappe (France) – 82 Caps 48 International goals
The French magician hasn't really got going at Euro 2024, with a broken nose suffered in the group opener against Austria the main reason why. Has played twice since then with a protective mask but doesn't look to be playing with the same freedom.
Kylian Mbappe international goals – trends to watch
His only goal so far at Euro 2024 came from the spot against Poland and there could be some value in backing another spot-kick strike. Although he netted eight times at the World Cup, only one of those goals was the opener and all of his strikes came in the second half.
Harry Kane (England) – 95 Caps 65 International goals
The England captain has taken flak for his displays at Euro 2024 but is always a threat in front of goal. He scored against Denmark in the group stage and popped up with a precious winner against Slovakia.
Harry Kane international goals – trends to watch
Kane nodded home the winner against Slovenia and also hit the bar with a header against Serbia in the group opener. So backing another headed goal could pay off against the Swiss. England have yet to win a penalty at the finals and 21 of Kane's international goals have come from the spot.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 211 Caps 130 International goals
The 39-year-old was in tears after his missed penalty against Slovenia but showed nerves of steel to score from the spot in the shoot-out. Portugal's superstar will be on a mission to make sure his final European Championships ends in glory.
|Cristiano Ronaldo international goals – trends to watch
Has yet to get off the mark at Euro 2024 but it's not through a lack of trying as Ronaldo has taken 20 shots at goal so far. Backing him in the shots market could pay off against France as could a goal from outside the area as he has taken countless free-kicks.
Kai Havertz (Germany) – 50 Caps 18 International goals
I thought the Arsenal man might make may for Niclas Fullkrug in the last 16 after the Dortmund striker netted twice off the bench. But Julian Nagelsmann stuck by Havertz and was repaid as the 25-year-old scored the opener to cap an impressive display.
Kai Havertz international goals – trends to watch
Both of his goals at Euro 2024 have come from the spot so it could pay to back him for another penalty strike against Spain. The Gunners star has otherwise been pretty wasteful with his finishing.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) – 28 Caps 12 International goals
The Netherlands finally sparked into life in the last 16 as they breezed past Romania, with Gakpo the star of the show. He grabbed his third goal of the finals as well as having another one ruled out and also bagged an assist.
Cody Gakpo international goals – trends to watch
The Liverpool forward has been deadly cutting in from the left flank to have pop with his right foot. That's how all of his goals have come so far at the Euros. He's not afraid to have a pop from distance and might offer value for a goal outside the box.
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
